Scott Boland overtakes Mitchell Starc as Tim Paine fuels calls to drop Aussie cricket hero

Scott Boland has overtaken Mitchell Starc in the ICC's Test bowler rankings, rocketing up 29 places to 10th in the world. But Tim Paine still believes the Victorian will miss out if there's a selection squeeze in the Aussie team.

Boland took career-best figures of 10-76 in Australia's six-wicket win over India at the SCG that sealed a historic series triumph. He was also brilliant in the fourth Test at the MCG and now has 56 wickets in just 13 Tests at an extraordinary average of 17.66.

The ICC updated it's official rankings on Wednesday night, with Boland now finding himself in the top 10 for the first time. The 35-year-old's previous best position on the ICC rankings was 36th after he took five wickets in the World Test Championship final against India in 2023.

And tellingly, he's now moved past teammate Starc (who is ranked 14th). Pat Cummins (2nd), Josh Hazlewood (4th) and Nathan Lyon (7th) join Boland in the top 10, while Jasprit Bumrah remains World No.1 after taking 32 wickets against Australia to win player of the series.

Why Scott Boland might be dropped for Sri Lanka Tests

Boland's staggering rise comes amid debate about how Australia's bowling attack should look moving forward. Boland has been stuck behind Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood throughout his career, but there's a chain of thought that he's now made himself undroppable.

With Cummins confirmed to miss the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka for the birth of his second child, and Hazlewood also out as he recovers from recent injuries, Boland and Starc will lead Australia's pace attack. But there's every chance the Aussies could look to play three spinners on the turning decks in Sri Lanka, which might mean Boland misses out and Starc is the lone quick. All-rounder Beau Webster's presence in the team means he can take the new ball with Starc if selectors want three spinners (Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann).

"Mitchell Starc’s ball speed and reverse swing make him undroppable in those conditions given Pat Cummins will be missing," former Test captain Paine wrote for News Corp on Wednesday. "Matt Kuhnemann should play alongside Nathan Lyon, while Webster is a capable second seam option. Scott Boland is clearly unlucky but what a luxury to leave a player like him on the bench."

How will Australia look for World Test Championship final?

And Paine also believes Boland might see himself on the bench for the World Test Championship final in June if Hazlewood is fit and firing. "I still have Hazlewood ahead of Boland in the pecking order for the WTC final, but there are so many moving parts," he added.

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It comes after Aussie legend Brett Lee said last week he'd still have Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood ahead of Boland. "My gut says you have to pick those three guys (Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood) every day of the week," he said at the SCG.

"Starc and Cummins are obviously playing now because they're fully fit, but if Hazlewood gets his fitness back and is ready to play, unfortunately you have to go with Josh Hazlewood, and when I say unfortunately, unfortunately for Scott Boland. A fit Josh Hazlewood gets into any Test line-up, in my opinion. What do you do when three doesn't go into four? It's a tough one."

One option that might be discussed for next summer's Ashes series at home is leaving out Lyon and playing all four seamers. Lyon only took nine wickets in the five Tests against India, with Australian pitchers favouring the quicker bowlers more than ever before.

Australia's Test squad for Sri Lanka tour:

1. Sam Konstas

2. Usman Khawaja

3. Marnus Labuschagne

4. Steve Smith (c)

5. Travis Head (vc)

6. Beau Webster

7. Alex Carey

8. Mitchell Starc

9. Nathan Lyon

10. Scott Boland

11. Todd Murphy

12. Matt Kuhnemann

13. Sean Abbott

14. Josh Inglis

15. Cooper Connolly

16. Nathan McSweeney